Sarstoon Forward Operating Base Receives Needed Upgraded

The Belize Defense Force organized a media trip today to the recently renovated Sarstoon Forward Operating Base. Viewers will recall that B.D.F. soldiers had to vacate the base and relocate to Barranco Village due to its deteriorated state. There is once again a permanent B.D.F. presence at the base. And it is needed, because of the illicit activities that occur in the area, such as illegal fishing and human trafficking.  News Five’s Paul Lopez was on that trip today. Here is his report.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The Sarstoon Forward Operating Bases was established in 2016 as a means of deterring illicit activities in the area from the Guatemalan side. It has recently underwent major renovations and today we are taking a tour of this forward operating base.

 

Major Miguel Tuyub, Belize Defense Force

“This is the current situation and the current renovation as you see here at this location, two structures and an observation booth at the front. It serves as an immediate warning at this site. We have a vessel harbor that can harbor up to two vessels at a time. This site has a helicopter landing site, main purpose for that site is for emergency extractions that happens at this location, also for resupply of soldiers if needs be. The site itself also has an ample area that can serve as physical training while soldiers are deployed.”

 

The FOB was constructed in 2016 to deter threats and to keep military presence in the immediate vicinity to maintain the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Belize. But the base quickly fell into disrepair and risks to law enforcement officers increased. As a result, BDF personnel were relocated to Barranco. A team, comprised of engineers from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing, the Belize Defense Force, and a private construction company, came together to find a solution.

 

Ray Ogaldez, Operations Manager, AK Aggregates and Concrete Supplies

“One of the challenged we really faced was that the material we used to stabilize the erosion was far different than what we used in the south. It was all slush. It was all muck that would take forever to stabilize. We search other ways and we found something suitable enough and we stabilized the island. The construction lasted from November and through Christmas and the New Years and we were early enough to finish in February. So when they did the soft launch in February the island was accessible. We did a test with the helicopter, to see how stable the heli-pad was and fortunately it all worked out well.”

 

The base is equipped with an observation post that gives soldiers an almost three-hundred-and-sixty-degree view of their surroundings. It is situated directly across from Guatemala’s military base along the Sarstoon River. These soldiers also received a newly constructed dormitory that houses ten. A conference room is now on the property as well.

 

Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commander, BDF

“When we started ibn 29016 there were mangroves and it was not that bad. The building in front was not that remodeled. It was rudimentary. Still is in some aspects but it is far better than 2016. The erosion was something we couldn’t control and eventually the sea and the river ended up under the building. But now it is like a big difference. The soldiers are at peace. They can have a good night’s rest not knowing that the building will collapse anymore. I remember one that was injured and lost an eye about six, seven years ago and that was our concern and it is a reflection that had to do with the ministry. The minister visited and was really unhappy and the result is this.”

 

Sarstoon Village is situated directly across from the FOB, on Guatemala’s side of the river. The base serves as a deterrent to illegal fishing, illegal cultivation in the area, as well as human trafficking. And while Belizeans may want to tour the area, it is not recommended given the tensions in the area.

 

Major Miguel Tuyub

“Our commanders have orders and protocols to deescalate any encounter that the Guatemalan forces do have. At the end of the day the Guatemalans don’t come this side and we don’t go that side. We have amicable relations at this point time.”

 

Brigadier General Azariel Loria

“If they want to venture, if Belizeans want to venture into Guatemala, the last point of entry is Punta Gorda town. But if they are visiting the area here it is advisable that they visit the FOB to say, hey I am in the area so that we know that they are in the area and they can use the Sarstoon but just have in mind that we have the GAF on the other side, have in mind that this area not too long ago we destroyed cocoa plantations and these activities are still occurring. It is not safe for people to traversing the Sarstoon and unfortunately, we cannot provide security for each and everyone that visits.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.